ABSTRACT
In this chapter we begin to explore the procedural description of musical scores, an activity that is sometimes referred to as algorithmic composition. In this style of composition the composer writes a program to compute music. This program provides a level of abstraction above the score that allows the composer to explore techniques for music composition that otherwise would be difficult or impossible to achieve. But the use of algorithms to create music also raises some artistic issues that should be kept in mind as you progress through the remaining chapters of this book: • What is the relationship between a composer and a computed score? If the
composer cannot predict what notes will be contained in the score should he or she claim authorship of the composition?
